{"id":881350,"date":"2025-12-29T01:11:56","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T07:11:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/29\/bitwise-cio-sees-bitcoin-on-a-10-year-grind-up-with-steady-returns\/"},"modified":"2025-12-29T01:11:56","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T07:11:56","slug":"bitwise-cio-sees-bitcoin-on-a-10-year-grind-up-with-steady-returns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/12\/29\/bitwise-cio-sees-bitcoin-on-a-10-year-grind-up-with-steady-returns\/","title":{"rendered":"Bitwise CIO Sees Bitcoin on a \u201c10-Year Grind Up\u201d With Steady Returns"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cimg.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/23090551\/ayan-150x150.jpg\" alt>\n                    <\/p>\n<p>Crypto Journalist<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Amin Ayan<\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cimg.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/23090551\/ayan-150x150.jpg\" alt>\n                <\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>Crypto Journalist<\/p>\n<p><span>Amin Ayan<\/span><span class><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cryptonews.com\/wp-content\/themes\/cryptonews\/images\/verification.svg\" alt=\"Verified\"><\/span>\n                    <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Part of the Team Since<\/p>\n<p>Apr 2025<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>About Author<\/p>\n<p>Amin Ayan is a crypto journalist with over four years of experience in the industry. He has contributed to leading publications such as Cryptonews, Investing.com, 99Bitcoins, and 24\/7 Wall St. He has&#8230;<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Last updated:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><time datetime=\"2025-12-28T09:55:00+00:00\">December 28, 2026<\/time>\n        <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"673\" src=\"https:\/\/cimg.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/28074635\/1766907995-image-1766907658849_optimized.jpg\" alt=\"Bitwise CIO Sees Bitcoin on a \u201c10-Year Grind Up\u201d With Steady Returns\" decoding=\"async\"  ><\/p>\n<p>Bitcoin is likely to deliver steady gains over the next decade, but investors should not expect the kind of explosive year-on-year rallies seen in earlier cycles, according to Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan.<\/p>\n<div>\n<p><strong>Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>Bitwise CIO Matt Hougan expects steady, lower-volatility Bitcoin gains over the next decade rather than explosive rallies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Hougan remains bullish on 2026, citing ongoing institutional buying despite recent price weakness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Some analysts warn Bitcoin could still face deeper downside if the cycle has peaked.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Speaking <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/nOD0bG4DsdU\" target=\"_blank\">on CNBC on Friday<\/a>, Hougan described Bitcoin\u2019s outlook as a prolonged upward trend marked by lower volatility and more measured returns.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think we\u2019re in a 10-year grind upward of strong returns,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s not spectacular returns, [but] strong returns, lower volatility, some up and down.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"h-bitwise-cio-sticks-to-bullish-2026-bitcoin-outlook\">Bitwise CIO Sticks to Bullish 2026 Bitcoin Outlook<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Hougan reaffirmed his view that 2026 will be a positive year for Bitcoin, maintaining a forecast he first shared in July, months before the asset surged to a new all-time high of $125,100 in October.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think next year will be up,\u201d he said, despite growing debate over whether the current market cycle has already peaked.<\/p>\n<p>That debate intensified after Bitcoin pulled back sharply from its October highs. The asset is trading around $87,800 at the time of publication, down about 3.8% over the past 30 days, according to CoinMarketCap.<\/p>\n<p>ReserveOne chief investment officer Sebastian Beau said the drop has revived questions about whether Bitcoin\u2019s traditional four-year cycle remains intact.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAll-time highs were 125,000\u2026 we are bordering on $87,000 today, down 30% relatively quickly,\u201d Beau said, calling the move painful for investors.<\/p>\n<figure>\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"We asked two CIOs if the bitcoin four-year price cycle is dead: CNBC Crypto World\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nOD0bG4DsdU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Some market participants note that the timing of Bitcoin\u2019s October peak closely resembles past cycle tops, raising the possibility that 2026 could be a down year.<\/p>\n<p>Hougan acknowledged that retail behavior has played a role in the recent weakness, arguing that \u201cfast-moving\u201d retail investors rotated out late in the year in anticipation of a cycle-driven downturn.<\/p>\n<p>Still, Hougan believes Bitcoin\u2019s downside has been cushioned by what he described as \u201cpersistent, slow-moving institutional buying.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Unlike previous cycles that saw drawdowns of 60% or more, Bitcoin\u2019s current pullback has been comparatively shallow, a sign that long-term capital is providing support.<\/p>\n<p>Not all analysts share Hougan\u2019s optimism. Veteran trader Peter Brandt has warned that Bitcoin could slide to $60,000 by the third quarter of 2026, highlighting ongoing risks tied to macro conditions and market structure.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"h-bitwise-cio-sticks-to-bullish-2026-bitcoin-outlook\">Bitwise CIO Sticks to Bullish 2026 Bitcoin Outlook<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Hougan also downplayed expectations that US politics will drive the next leg higher. While Bitcoin rallied to fresh highs earlier in 2025 following Donald Trump\u2019s inauguration, Hougan said the administration is unlikely to unlock significant new upside.<\/p>\n<p>Looking ahead to 2026, the industry remains divided. Fidelity\u2019s director of global macro research, Jurrien Timmer, has suggested 2026 could be a pause year, with prices potentially sliding toward $65,000.<\/p>\n<p>Others remain more optimistic. Strategy CEO Phong Le <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=8rYl8wEotZk&#038;t=201s\" target=\"_blank\">has argued that Bitcoin\u2019s underlying<\/a> fundamentals held up throughout 2025 despite weaker prices, while Bitwise chief investment officer Matt Hougan said earlier this year that he expects 2026 to be an \u201cup year\u201d for the asset.<\/p>\n<p>According to Linh Tran, market analyst at XS.com, <a href=\"https:\/\/cryptonews.com\/news\/bitcoin-slips-below-90k-as-fed-uncertainty-and-weak-liquidity-weigh-on-price-analyst\/\">Bitcoin\u2019s recent price action underscores<\/a> the market\u2019s sensitivity to monetary policy expectations rather than headline economic data.<\/p>\n<p>\n                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqKQgKIiNDQklTRkFnTWFoQUtEbU55ZVhCMGIyNWxkM011WTI5dEtBQVAB?ceid=US:en&#038;oc=3\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<p>                            <svg width=\"20\" height=\"16\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 16\" fill=\"none\">\n                            <path d=\"M19.6 5.36C19.6 5.48 19.6 5.66 19.54 5.78L17.2 12.8V5.6C17.2 4.94 16.66 4.4 16 4.4H12.82L12.52 3.8L11.86 2.36L15.34 3.32L18.58 4.16C19.18 4.28 19.6 4.82 19.6 5.36Z\" fill=\"#FF4131\" \/>\n                            <path d=\"M15.4 0.799997V3.26L11.92 2.3L11.74 1.88C11.44 1.28 10.72 0.979997 10.12 1.22L4.59998 3.38V0.799997C4.59998 0.499997 4.89998 0.199997 5.19998 0.199997H14.8C15.1 0.199997 15.4 0.499997 15.4 0.799997Z\" fill=\"#03A846\" \/>\n                            <path d=\"M12.82 4.4H4.00002C3.34002 4.4 2.80002 4.94 2.80002 5.6V11.42L0.520024 6.5C0.460024 6.26 0.400024 6.08 0.400024 5.9V5.84C0.400024 5.3 0.700024 4.82 1.24002 4.64L4.60002 3.32L10.06 1.22C10.72 0.979997 11.44 1.28 11.68 1.88L11.86 2.3L12.52 3.74L12.82 4.4Z\" fill=\"#FDBD04\" \/>\n                            <path d=\"M17.2 5.59999V14.6C17.2 15.26 16.66 15.8 16 15.8H4.00005C3.34005 15.8 2.80005 15.26 2.80005 14.6V5.59999C2.80005 4.93999 3.34005 4.39999 4.00005 4.39999H16C16.66 4.39999 17.2 4.93999 17.2 5.59999ZM9.40005 9.79999H7.00005V11H7.90005C7.60005 11.36 7.18005 11.6 6.70005 11.6C5.86005 11.6 5.20005 10.94 5.20005 10.1C5.20005 9.25999 5.86005 8.59999 6.70005 8.59999C7.12005 8.59999 7.48005 8.77999 7.78005 9.01999L8.62005 8.17999C8.14005 7.69999 7.48005 7.39999 6.70005 7.39999C5.20005 7.39999 4.00005 8.59999 4.00005 10.1C4.00005 11.6 5.20005 12.8 6.70005 12.8C7.90005 12.8 8.86005 12.08 9.22005 11C9.34005 10.7 9.40005 10.4 9.40005 10.1C9.40005 9.97999 9.40005 9.91999 9.40005 9.79999ZM14.8 7.39999H10.6V8.59999H14.8V7.39999ZM16 9.79999H10.6V11H16V9.79999ZM14.8 12.2H10.6V13.4H14.8V12.2Z\" fill=\"#0284FE\" \/>\n                            <\/svg><br \/>\n                                                                    Follow us on Google News                                    <\/a>\n                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/cryptonews.com\/news\/bitwise-cio-sees-bitcoin-on-a-10-year-grind-up-with-steady-returns\/\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><br \/>\n Yuri Stoval<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Crypto Journalist Amin Ayan Crypto Journalist Amin Ayan Part of the Team Since Apr 2025 About Author Amin Ayan is a crypto journalist with over four years of experience in the industry. He has contributed to leading publications such as Cryptonews, Investing.com, 99Bitcoins, and 24\/7 Wall St. He has&#8230; Last updated:\u00a0 December 28, 2026 Bitcoin<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":881351,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4041,91696],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-881350","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-bitcoin","8":"category-bitwise"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/881350","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=881350"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/881350\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/881351"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=881350"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=881350"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=881350"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}